Opening day at State Legislature hints at debates to come

“In this strong economy, should we not be thinking about a greater partnership with our counties who provide much of the services that directly support tourism?

They are the ones who maintain our roads and parks and provide the law enforcement officers and first responders who serve our visitors as well as our kamaina. Therefore, let’s look at removing the cap on the counties’ share of the TAT.

It’s time.

I believe the gesture is not only long overdue, but should be viewed as a better long-term investment in our counties and in our number one industry.”

“And speaking of taxes, Hawaii’s personal income tax is currently one of the highest in the nation. The law that allowed that to happen was passed several years ago during a severe budget shortfall, but will sunset in 2015. And it should be allowed to do so because that’s good for Hawaii’s hard working families.

In both of these instances, the returns on ensuring a more robust economy will be well worth the investment—a cost, however, that is substantial for the State. So at the same time, let’s look at a number of other sources of revenues that better reflect the world and circumstances we live in today.
Let’s look at changes that would more sensibly spread that burden among all who benefit from living and working in these islands.

Let’s look at working with the state Attorney General to better enforce existing tax requirements for those who do business—a great deal of business—in the state.

I am referring to those who earn millions through the Internet who are not located in Hawaii but profit from sales generated by our people. Technology has revolutionized the way companies do business throughout the world. And that’s amazing and wonderful.

But every day, they compete toe-to-toe with local companies on a playing field that is clearly tilted in their favor. It’s time we level the playing field. We should also join other states who have banded together to look at this issue, as well as consult with our congressional delegation on actions being considered at the federal level.
Our tax laws also make allowances for seniors whose incomes are usually fixed and very limited. That is the right thing to do—for most of them.

But very wealthy seniors who draw over $100,000 in pensions per person are also the beneficiaries of those tax considerations. Let’s fix that anomaly so that everyone pays their fair share no matter where their income comes from.”

“Recently, there has been much news about other states legalizing the use of marijuana.

While I am not suggesting we go that route, Hawaii does permit the limited cultivation and use of marijuana for medical purposes.

In spite of that, there are no dispensaries or places where you can legally buy cannabis even with a prescription. I think we need to fix that gap in the law before we talk about anything else.”

“And they delivered.

As one example, genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, will be a topic of considerable debate.

And so Agriculture Committee Chair Clarence Nishihara spent the interim gathering the most current, objective information to enable legislators to separate fact from misinformation to guide us in our decision-making.

Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee Chair Roz Baker has been evaluating the progress of the Affordable Care Act and the Hawaii Health Connector, with an eye toward ensuring it meets the needs of consumers and businesses, as mandated.

The committee has also been devising the means to ensure that utility customers installing photovoltaic systems don’t face unnecessary delays in connecting to the electric grid, and help accelerate our move away from fossil fuels.

Chair Donovan Dela Cruz and his Economic Development, Government Operations, and Housing Committee are helping shape the rejuvenation of Whitmore Village in Central Oahu and collaborating with the film industry to bring more production to West Oahu.

Chairman Mike Gabbard and the Energy and Environment Committee are tackling the difficult task of stopping the spread of invasive species, one of the greatest threats to our natural resources, by developing a comprehensive strategy to bolster the state’s response to this huge challenge.

Human Services Committee Chair Suzanne Chun Oakland is reaching the needy by partnering with the Homeless Assistance Working Group to develop a mechanism to identify property for temporary and permanent housing for the homeless.

Members are also focusing on our growing population of seniors and how the state can best serve them.

Our small boat harbors, state parks, conservation lands, and shorelines seem to be in constant need of upkeep, and so Water & Land Committee Chair Malama Solomon has been assessing the facilities and programs of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to identify what the Legislature can do to support that agency’s mandates.

The Ways and Means Committee, as always, has the Herculean task of balancing the state’s many and diverse needs with our financial resources.

Chair David Ige,a long with Vice Chair Michelle Kidani, led site visits throughout the state, seeing first-hand the capital improvement needs.

There are other issues as well.

Last year, with Education Chair Jill Tokuda taking the lead, we took a first step toward universal early education, and I expect the debate will continue as we examine the costs of expanding publically funded preschool

education, including how it will impact our current mandate for kindergarten through 12th grade, and the feasibility of its long-term sustainability.

At the other end of the educational spectrum, Higher Education Chair Brian Taniguchi held hearings with the University of Hawaii on its proposed repair and maintenance budget estimated at $480 million, added to new construction projects totaling about $200 million.

Given the similar needs of public schools and other state infrastructure, there will be many requests competing for a limited amount of capital improvement money.

With a push toward more geothermal energy, we expect there will be proposals to limit or restrict its use, or the methods used in its extraction and generation.

And we’ll be revisiting the proposal to raise the minimum wage.

The Senate looks forward to working collaboratively again with our House counterparts, and I’m pleased that we have a joint House/ Senate legislative package.”

“Let me say that I was advised to keep my remarks “light” today and refrain from being too “hard hitting.” Light? That’s not in my DNA. We have serious problems in Hawaii that too many choose to ignore or deny. We must confront and solve them so we can have a better Hawaii for all our citizens.”

“Since 1964, more than $21 TRILLION has been transferred in the U.S. from some taxpayers to others thought to be “entitled.” In 1964, approximately 14% of Americans were classified by government as being below the “poverty level.” Today, it is more than 21%. Clearly, government is moving in the wrong direction, creating more poverty.

Money thrown at a problem does not bring positive results. Money without a sound, workable plan and able leadership, results in more failure.

Consider:

• Our state’s existing $25 BILLION unfunded liability.
• Providing more subsidies with lack of oversight to our largest energy monopoly, which keeps increasing electricity rates, and experimenting with wind turbines, and undersea cables, instead of deregulating to help consumers.
• Allowing even higher salaries, benefits and $10 million more to a deficit ridden UH athletics program. A UH that is proud to have “52% of the students able to graduate in 6 years?”
• Spending nearly a million dollars on a “Pono Choices” sex program to teach 11 and 12 year olds how to have sex?
• Proposing a 36% pay raise for the Chief Elections Officer who failed miserably during the last election.
• Raising motor vehicle fees and taxes while not repairing roads and potholes? Are you serious?

Using $204 million to create a flawed Hawaii Health Connector for Obamacare?
Funding a study on “Global Warming” while the streets, highways and streams of Hawaii are littered with trash and sewage. Are you serious?
Members of the public, who pay our salaries, are fed up. They demand we listen to them and change. We better do so, starting today.

Taxpayer expenditures for welfare and social services exceed expenditures for government education. We must refuse to support those who choose not to work or are financially irresponsible. Leading the nation in food stamps, and welfare subsidies, and being among the top for homelessness, are not badges of honor.”